Direct antenna lead connection for a communications receiver



Dec. 16, 1959 c, TAYLOR ET AL 3,484,696

DIRECT ANTENNA LEAD CONNECTION FOR A COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVER Filed March31, 1967 FIGJ.

lNVENTORS: CHARLES E.TAYLOR,

ULIUS KEMENY,

THEIR ATTQR Y.-

United States Patent DIRECT ANTENNA LEAD CONNECTION FOR A COMMUNICATIONSRECEIVER Charles E. Taylor, Denver, Colo., and Julius Kemeny,

Chesapeake, Va., assignors to General Electric Company, a corporation ofNew York Filed Mar. 31, 1967, Ser. No. 627,380

Int. Cl. H04b 1/08 US. Cl. 325354 15 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREAn antenna lead connection comprises a conductive bracket including afirst leg or base portion directly connected to a conductive path on acircuit board and a second leg projection carrying fastening means to beconnected to the antenna lead. The fastening means comprises a screwinserted through an aperture in the projection. The projection isexposed through an aperture in the cabinet to allow ease in connectionand disconneciton of the antenna lead to the electronic circuitry on thecircuit board.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an antenna leadconnection for a communications receiver; more particularly, it relatesto a direct antenna lead connection.

In existing radio and television receiver cabinets, it is the practiceto utilize a terminal board on the exterior of the cabinet at which anantenna lead is connected. This terminal board is in turn connected to atwin lead extending to a tuner. Although the system as described hasserved adequately from a quality of reception standpoint, the terminalboard and the twin leads are both relatively expensive in materials aswell as installation costs.

With todays trend toward reduced cost in home entertainment receivers,the elimination of the terminal board and the twin leads becomesattractive and the extensive use of circuit boards in these receiversnow renders this practicable.

While it is true that the prior art antenna lead connections have beenunduly expensive, it is also true that these lead connections have beenreadily accessible and convenient for connection and disconnection of anan tenna carried by the cabinet of the receiver as well as an antennaexternal to the receiver. However, this accessibility was never achievedat a reduced cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of this invention toprovide a connection between an antenna lead and the electroniccircuitry of a communication receiver at a reduced cost.

It is a further object of this invention to provide this cost reductionwithout sacrificing the accessibility of the terminal to which theantenna is connected.

In accordance with these objects, this invention provides in oneembodiment a conductive member exposed at the exterior of a receivercabinet and extending into the interior thereof wherein it is in directelectrical and mechanical contact with the conductive path of a circuitboard. The exposed portion of the conductive member includes fasteningmeans for securing an antenna lead to the conductive member to effect inelectrical connection between the antenna and electronic circuitrycarried by the circuit board.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING This specification concludes withclaims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subjectmatter 3,484,696 Patented Dec. 16, 1969 which is regarded as theinvention. The invention may also be understood from the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a rear perspective view of a receiver cabinet including theexposed portion of an antenna terminal;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the direct antenna terminal connectionof the invention including the fastening means as shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the antenna terminalconnection shown in FIGURE 2 in combination with a printed circuit boardincluding a conductive path thereon;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the antennaterminal connection as seen from beneath a printed circuit boardincluding a conductive path; and

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIGURE 4 as seenfrom above the printed circuit board.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS Although the invention is applicable toany electronic device wherein it is necessary to connect and disconnectan internal or ex'ernal antenna, the invention is particularly adaptableto a television receiver, as shown in FIG- URE 1, wherein a retractableantenna 13 is carried by a cabinet 11. This receiver configuration ischaracteristic of many portab e receivers well known in the art Whichprovide an antenna lead 15 connected to a terminal means. Since it hasbeen desirable to connect and disconnect the lead 15, a lead fasteningmeans 17 is provided which traditionally comprises a threaded fasteneror screw. Except for the retractab'e antenna 13, the receivedconfiguration is equally characteristic of nonportable receivers whereinan exposed terminal is provided.

As discussed above, the configuration is that of the prior art and ofthe invention since the outward appearance of the direct terminalconnection disclosed herein is similar to that of the prior art.However, the terminal means of the invention differs consideraby in thatthe lead fastening means 17 includes two rigid conductive members 19 asopposed to the traditional insulative terminal board of the prior art.As shown, the rigid conductive member 19 are exposed at and/ or extendthrough an aperture 20 in the rear 21 of the cabinet 11 although it isreadily appreciated that the rigid conductive member may be positionedon any side of the cabinet 11 as has been characteristic of the terminalboard of the prior art.

A preferred embodiment of each of the rigid conductive members 19 may beseen by reference to FIGURE 2 wherein a conductive bracket 23 isdisclosed comprising a first leg or base portion 25 in perpendicularrelationship With a second leg or connective projection 27 serving asthe conductive member 19. In order to secure the antenna lead 15 to theconductive bracket 23, an aperture 29 is provided in the connectiveprojection in which the lead fastening means 17 is threadedly engaged.An electrical connection is thereby completed through the antenna lead15 and the conductive bracket 23 which is adapted to receive a circuitboard means including electronic circuitry.

In order to receive the circuit board means and maintain a mechanicaland electrical contact therewith, the base portion 25 includes anelongated aperture 31 therethrough and a flange 33 extending from thesurface of the base portion 25 at one end of the elongated aperture 31.A portion of the flange 33 extends substantially parallel to the surface35 so as to form a clamp for restraining the circuit board means in aposition parallel to the base portion 25. In order to more fullyrestrain the circuit board means inserted in the clamps formed by thesur- 3 face 35 and the flange 33 of each conductive bracket 23, a normalprojection 37 from the surface 35 is provided. As shown, the flange 33and the projection 37 may be formed from a single metal member so as tomore fully reduce the cost of the antenna connection.

The cooperation with a particular circuit board means may best beunderstood by reference to the alternative embodiments disclosed inFIGURES 3, 4 and 5. As shown in FIGURE 3, a circuit board 39 includes anaperture 41 through which the normal projection 37 is inserted therebyrestraining movement of each conductive bracket 23 with respect to thecircuit board 39. This restraint allows a foil or conductive path 43,connected to the electronic circuitry including a tuner not shown butcarried by an extension of the board 39, to be maintained in electricalcontact with the flange 33. As long as the bracket 23 is composed of aresilient material; i.e., steel, th resilience of flange 33 will besutficient to provide good electrical contact as well as a mechanicalclamping action restraining movement of the circuit board 39.

As shown in the alternative embodiment of FIGURE 4, a foil or conductivepath 45 connected to the electronic circuitry carried by an extension ofthe board 39 not shown may be applied simultaneously with a solderconnection 47 of the circuit board means in the elongated aperture 31 ofthe bracket 23. The solder connection 47 may be applied over theconductive path 45 simultaneously with the application of the electroniccircuitry through a dip solder process which further reduces the cost ofconnecting the antenna lead 15 to the electronic circuitry mounted onthe board 39. FIGURE 5 reveals the direct contact between the circuitboard 39 and the flange 33 of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 4.

As disclosed in FIGURE 1, the television receiver 11 includes an antenna13 which is electrically connected to the electronic circuitry carriedby the board 39 through the terminal means including two brackets 23. Itis, of course, readily appreciated as mentioned previously that theterminal means provided by the bracket 23 is readily applicable to atelevision or radio receiver wherein there is no antenna carried by thereceiver but connection to an antenna external to a receiver isdesirable. The terminal means disclosed herein is applicable to such areceiver as well as the receiver wherein alternate connections betweenthe internal and external antennas is desirable.

The invention may also be practiced by utilizing four such brackets 23to accommodate UHF-VHF reception. This would, of course, entail the useof a board including four such conductive paths 43 or 45.

It is also appreciated that the structure of the bracket 23 might varyand still lie within the scope of the invention. In particular, theflange 33 or projection 37 might be eliminated relying solely on thesoldered connection 47 for a mechanical as well as an electricalconnection. Alternatively, the aperture 31 might be eliminated to relysolely upon the flange 33 and the normal projection 37 for electricalcontact and mechanical support for the bracket 23.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it is not desired that the invention be limited to theparticular form shown and described, and it is intended by the appendedclaims to cover all modifications within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

1. In an electronic communications receiver comprising a cabinet andelectronic circuitry enclosed therein, an improvement in means forconnecting an antenna lead to the electronic circuitry, said meanscomprising:

(a) a rigid conductive member extending to the exterior of the cabinet,

(b) the cabinet having an aperture adjacent to the .4 conductive memberfor exposing the conductive member, and

(c) a circuit board means carrying the electronic circuitry andincluding a conductive path, said circuit board means in contact with aportion of said rigid conductive member at said conductive path so as toelectrically connect said rigid conductive member to said conductivepath.

2. The electronic communications receiver of claim 1 wherein saidconductive member extends through the aperture to the exterior of thecabinet.

3. The electric communications receiver of claim 2 wherein theimprovement includes lead fastening means mounted on the rigidconductive member adjacent the aperture.

4. An electronic communications receiver comprising a cabinet andelectronic circuitry enclosed therein, an improvement in means forconnecting an antenna lead to the electronic circuitry, said meanscomprising:

(a) a conductive bracket including a base portion, a connectiveprojection and an antenna fastening means positioned on said connectiveprojection,

(b) an aperture in the cabinet adjacent said connective projection forexposing the conductive member.

(c) circuit board means carrying electronic circuitry and including aconductive path connected thereto, said circuit board means and saidconductive path parallel to and in contact with said base portion so asto electrically connect the antenna lead to said conductive path.

5. The electronic communications receiver as recited in claim 4 whereinsaid base portion has an aperture therethrough overlying said conductivepath, and said circuit board means includes a soldered connection madein the aperture in said base portion so as to electrically connect saidconductive path to said conductive brackets.

6. The electronic communications receiver as recited in claim 5 whereinsaid base portion includes a flange extending from one surface thereof,said flange including a portion substantially parallel to said baseportion so as to form a clamp, said circuit board inserted in the clampto mechanically secure said circuit board means to said conductivebracket.

7. The electronic communications receiver as recited in claim 6 whereinsaid base portion includes a projection normally extending from the onesurface of said circuit board means, said circuit board means having anaperture therein with said projection extending therethrough in orderrestrain movement of said circuit board means.

8. The electronic communications receiver in claim 7 wherein saidfastening means comprises a threaded fastener inserted through anaperture in said connective projection.

9. The electronic communications receiver in claim 8 wherein theconnective projection is external to the cabinet.

10. The electronic communications receiver of claim 9 wherein theimprovement comprises a plurality of such conductive brackets and aplurality of such conductive paths.

11. The electronic communications receiver of claim 4 wherein said baseportion includes a flange extending from one surface thereof, saidflange including a portion substantially parallel to said one surface soas to form a clamp, said circuit board means inserted in said clamp atsaid conductive path to mechanically and electrically secure saidcircuit board means to said bracket.

12. The electronic communications receiver as recited in claim 11wherein said base portion includes a projection normally extending fromthe one surface, said circuit board including an aperture therein withsaid normal projection extending therethrough to restrain movement ofsaid circuit board means.

5 6 13. The electronic communications receiver as recited ReferencesCited in claim 12 wherein said lead fastening means comprises UNITEDSTATES PATENTS a threaded fastener through an aperture in said connecfive projection. 3,346,863 10/1967 S1ebold 343-702 X 14. The electroniccommunications receiver as recited 5 3,378,806 4/1968 Wllkerson et 33917in claim 13 wherein said connective ro'ection is external to the cabinetP 1 ROBERT L. GRIFFIN, Primary Examiner 15. The electroniccommunications receiver of claim WILLIAM S. FROMMER, Assistant Examiner14 wherein the improvement comprises a plurality of such conductivebrackets and a plurality of such conductive paths.

10 US. Cl. X.R.

